Emergency Management

WASHINGTON — Devastating hurricanes, deadly flooding and prolonged record-setting drought in much of the U.S. were just a few of the 18 natural disasters that cost taxpayers roughly $165 billion last year, according to a new federal report. The sobering... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Planning for Animal Wellness Act into law this week, garnering praise from animal rights advocates who’ve argued for years that federal guidance on best practices to protect animals in emergencies and disasters... Read More

TALLAHASSEE — Hurricane Ian’s march through Florida and the Caribbean left at least 35 people dead in the Sunshine State, along with another three in Cuba, and caused anywhere from $66 billion to $75 billion in damage, depending on the... Read More

WASHINGTON — As Hurricane Ian raged through Florida Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to make the emergency alerts seen and heard on television, radio and through text messages easier to understand. “Climate change is making storms more frequent,... Read More

NEW YORK — As a major hurricane bears down on Florida, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is floating a $52 billion proposal to protect New York City and surrounding communities from the destructive storm surges associated with hurricanes and... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Pacific Gas & Electric pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony involuntary manslaughter charges after a Northern California fire caused by its electrical transmission lines burned 87 square miles of land and killed four residents. Prosecutors acknowledge criminal... Read More

WASHINGTON — North Carolina is in the process of implementing its newest 911 technology that will connect callers to emergency call centers “almost immediately — when a caller takes their finger off the last one it is ringing,” said L.V.... Read More

WASHINGTON — While firefighters were battling a blaze near Elk River, Idaho, in 2021 an unknown voice came over the radio waves they were using to coordinate an airplane to help fight the fire. The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement... Read More

MIAMI — It happens every year, yet it never ceases to grab our attention, disrupt our sleep and on occasion even terrify. We’re talking, of course, about the Atlantic hurricane season, the period extending from June 1 to Nov. 30... Read More

WASHINGTON — As public health officials warned this week the U.S. COVID-19 death toll could reach 1 million by this spring, a congressional panel on Wednesday considered what it would take to ensure it never happens again. Rep. Joseph Morelle,... Read More

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion Saturday near the Pacific nation of Tonga, sending large tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground. A tsunami advisory was in effect for... Read More

WASHINGTON — Emergency management officials who testified to Congress Wednesday described U.S. policies on disaster relief as long on inspiration but short on administration. In other words, communities devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, floods or tornadoes receive disaster relief but in... Read More

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to request federal assistance in recovery efforts for portions of the state that have been devastated by natural disasters over the past year. Edwards met... Read More

Wildfires are an increasingly big and increasingly costly reality.  The "severity and overall size" of wildfires has expanded considerably in recent decades, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. California's 2018 fire season, in particular, broke several dubious records, including... Read More

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden tried to sound reassuring Monday afternoon but could not guarantee a quick recovery from the devastation Hurricane Ida caused to southeastern Louisiana. “We’re going to stand with you and the people of the Gulf for... Read More

In the wake of a powerful earthquake, the U.S. has sent rescue personnel and air support to assist with the search and rescue efforts in Haiti. On Sunday, the U.S. Agency for International Development said it had sent a 65-member... Read More

An in-depth study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology based on interviews and surveys of first responders - Communications Center Services (911 call centers), Emergency Medical Services, Fire Services and Law Enforcement - show they want new technology,... Read More

GREENVILLE, Calif. — Northern California’s extensive Dixie Fire has enveloped over 510,000 acres across four counties as crews work tirelessly to contain the nation’s largest active wildfire. Smoke and ash from various wildfires are causing poor air quality conditions around... Read More

Hurricane season is underway and climate experts warn of increasingly severe and frequent storms. Animal advocacy groups are reminding the public and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect animals during natural disasters.  Often left out of disaster planning and... Read More

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he would meet with state governors next week to map out a strategy for handling disasters from severe weather. Heat and drought in western states is creating wildfires and crop damage. The National... Read More

WASHINGTON — First used in 1993, HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program enhances the agency’s already flexible grants that help cities, counties, and states recover from presidentially declared disasters. These special recovery grants supplement disaster programs of the Federal... Read More

Disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Hanna’s arrival on the coast of Texas last week are going well despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, according to the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Administration.  Hurricane Hanna hit Texas with winds... Read More

A new virtual map unveiled this week provides a comprehensive and precise look at the risk of flooding across America through a free online tool called Flood Factor. The website, developed by the First Street Foundation, a non-profit research and... Read More